Bears' Archuleta vows to play Sunday

Adam Archuleta’s hand is broken. Yet he knows he still has to punch the time clock. A cast on his right hand? That’s no reason not to play Sunday at Detroit.

Reed Schreck

Adam Archuleta’s hand is broken. Yet he knows he still has to punch the time clock. A cast on his right hand? That’s no reason not to play Sunday at Detroit.

He’s played with worse — a broken thumb as a rookie; a herniated disc; high ankle sprains.

“As a player, to me you always have the mentality it’s got to take a lot to keep you out,” Chicago’s veteran safety said. “Most guys will say they’re going to play. Most guys aren’t going to take themselves out.”

Such as Archuleta in last week’s 34-10 loss to Dallas. He knew something was wrong with his hand. It was just going to have to wait until the game was over.

“It really started bothering me in the second half,” he said. “But there was no certain point where I said, ‘Oh, I broke my hand.’ “I didn’t really think much of it. I just thought it was sore. But I wasn’t wrapping up (on tackles) and things like that. In hindsight, that’s what happens.”

A reporter asked him how he’ll be able to wrap someone up this week with a cast on his hand.

“Hey, that’s a good question,” he said. “If you have any advice, let me know.”

Sitting out isn’t an option.

“We’re not at full strength,” he said. “As a player, you say our team is counting on us. If the coaches feel otherwise, that it’s more of a hindrance (if we play hurt), that’s not my choice. Well see how it goes.”

He’s not sure what precautions he could take.

“You just go out and play,” he said. “It’s a matter of being able to have strength and wrap up and things like that. I don’t think pain is going to be an issue.

“I just think it’s the way I am. I’ve definitely played in situations where I had no business being on the field. That’s just the way it goes.”

He mentioned corner Charles Tillman playing the second half of the Cowboys game with his high ankle injury.

“He wasn’t going to come out,” he said. “By and large, we have a lot of pride. If we can’t play, we’re going to do what we can to help the team.”

Reed Schreck is the NFL writer for the Rockford Register Star. Contact him at 815-987-1381 or rschreck@rrstar.com.